Hire Slow: Why Intentional Beats Instinctive When You're Building Your Team

After a summer of guest interviews, Lisa is back solo to unpack a phrase she uses often: hire slow. She breaks down what it doesn't mean (hesitating, second-guessing, overthinking) and what it does (screening on purpose, knowing your ideal therapist, and building checkpoints that protect your team and your clients), using her own hiring wins and misses as the proof. What You’ll Hear: The difference between hiring slow and hiring hesitant, and how to tell which one you're actually doing Lisa's own hiring miss: giving a key and a contract to a renter before listening to her gut, and what it cost her two months later Why she now thinks about "rock stars" versus "shooting stars" before she ever posts a job, and how planning for both changes what she expects from a new hire The screening call detail (a long commute on an unsafe route) that told her a promising applicant wasn't the right fit, before either of them invested more time Lisa's own six-week hire slow timeline: job posting, specific cover letter requirements, a video introduction, a team meeting, a case study, a mock session, and reference checks Why onboarding, mission, vision, and values included, is part of the hire slow process itself, not just what happens after someone says yes Resources Mentioned on this Episode S2E31 with Heather Bach, referenced for her 20-40 applicant screen, reference questionnaires, and "presence" score S2E32 with Haley Moore, referenced for her 15-minute vibe check and role-play intake round Next week's episode: the free Hire Slow Checklist (tool episode) Reflection Prompts for the Week Do you know who your ideal therapist is, not just to fill a role, but to fit your team, your admin, and your ideal client? Are you hiring a rock star or a shooting star right now, and have you planned for what each one will need from you? What would a screening call reveal about a candidate that a resume never could? If you slowed your next hire down by one step, what would that step be? Meet the Host: Lisa Catallo Lisa is a Canadian psychotherapist, group practice owner, and business coach with over eight years of experience leading a thriving, values-driven practice. She works with therapists who are ready to step into their role as confident, ethical, and intentional leaders—without burning out or getting buried in the day-to-day. Lisa’s coaching focuses on building sustainable group practices through efficient systems, effective leadership, and a deep respect for time and energy. Her approach is calm and encouraging, offering grounded guidance that helps therapists move from overwhelm to clarity—so they can lead with confidence and purpose. Whether she’s supporting someone just starting to grow a team or helping a seasoned leader reclaim their role as CEO, Lisa brings a blend of insight, structure, and heart to everything she does. When she’s not coaching or connecting with therapists, you’ll find her hanging out with her children and grandchildren, reading, walking by the water, or dreaming up new ways to make business feel a little lighter. Connect with the Host: Website: www.grouppracticenetwork.ca Instagram: instagram.com/grouppracticenetwork Facebook: facebook.com/grouppracticenetwork LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-catallo Loved this episode? Let’s take it a step further. Grab the free Time + Energy Audit for Group Practice Owners to get super clear on where your time is going—and what it’s actually worth. 👉 Download it here And if you're ready for consistent support, connection, and access to done-for-you tools? Come join us inside Group Practice Connection—the membership designed to help Canadian group practice owners lead with clarity and confidence. ✨ You don’t have to do this alone. Check it out here Empowered to Lead is proud to be on the High Vibe Podcast Network Check out (Host Name) Gift in the Vault https://highvibepodcastnetwork.com/gifts Share the Love ✨ If this episode lit something up in you… tag us on Instagram @HighVibeLeaders and @grouppracticenetwork and let us know your biggest takeaway! 🦋 Don’t forget to rate & review — it helps us reach more conscious rebels like you.